WHICH SOLAR CELL PHONE CHARGER IS BEST? – Cell phones are becoming a necessity in hunting. Whether you’re using a Phoneskope to take pictures and videos, or you’re using OnX Hunt for mapping, you use your cell phone a lot in the backcountry. When we use some of the apps on our phones, especially mapping apps, they destroy our batteries. Luckily, companies have come out with battery packs that allow us to charge our phones while on the mountain. But, what if you can’t charge your battery pack because you’re on the mountain for weeks? That’s where a solar charging battery pack comes in.
Non-Solar Battery Packs
When it comes to non-solar battery packs, there is one that stands above the rest for me. That is the Poseidon from Dark Energy. The reason that particular battery pack shines is its durability. We are not very nice to things in the outdoors, and we need something that can take a beating. All of the Dark Energy products are built to last.
Specs:
- 9.6 oz
- Operating Temps -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit
- Battery Capacity: 10, 200 MAH
- Built-in Flash Light
- USB-C port
- 36 Hour Mobile Phone Charging Capacity
Solar Battery Packs
Portable battery packs are great, but adding solar to them takes things to a new level. 36 hours of phone battery life is great, but if you’re going on a 8-10 day hunt, that battery is not going to last. There is the option of taking a couple battery packs in with you, but that gets heavy and expensive!
Solar battery packs allow you to charge your battery pack each day. They’re not perfect, and we will run through the pros and cons, but knowing you can keep charging your phone each day is huge! My favorite solar charging battery pack is actually one that I found on Amazon. It is the ADDTOP Solar Charging Power Bank. I’ve used this charger for several years now, and I have absolutely loved it. I’m not saying it’s the be all end all solar charging power bank, but from my experience, it does a great job.
Pros
- The ADDTOP provides more MAH than the Dark Energy Poseidon, with a max MAH of 25,000.
- Compared to other solar charging power banks, the ADDTOP unfolds to four separate solar panels to allow for faster and more efficient charging.
- Dual USB ports
- Flash Light
- Only weight 1.18 pounds
- PRICE!!!!!! The ADDTOP only costs $33.
Cons
- Durability is a concern. However, I have had mine for several years and have not had a single issue with durability. I do see that the Dark Energy is built in a more durable fashion. For the price, durability may not be an issue though.
- Weight could also be a con. When backpacking, every pound makes a big difference.
- Charge speeds. Charging a phone does take a little longer when using the ADDTOP, but it still has 2.1A outputs that charge fairly quick.
- It does not have a USB-C port.
In conclusion, I highly recommend giving a solar power bank a try. I think you’ll find that once you use a solar charger, you won’t go back to anything else. Especially if you’re a hunter that goes on longer backcountry hunts. If you go back to a cabin or lodge each night while hunting, then the Dark Energy may be a better option. But for the price, is it really?
You can click the links above to read more and to purchase the ADDTOP and or Dark Energy power banks.
Which power bank do you use on your hunts?
